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A Proclamation on National Caribbean American Heritage Month
June 2023

May 31, 2023

During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate the achievements and dreams of the millions of people of Caribbean origin now living in the United States while honoring the shared history of joy and perseverance that has united and enriched life across our region for centuries.
There is no single Caribbean American identity. The mix of cultures, languages, and religions alive across the United States and the islands reflects the diversity of spirit that defines the American story. Meanwhile, our countries are bound by common values and a shared history - overcoming the yoke of colonialism, confronting the original sin of slavery, and charting new opportunities
across borders and generations.
Since our founding, Caribbean Americans from Alexander Hamilton to Colin Powell have contributed to the United States in the most profound ways. Today, pathbreakers like Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor continue advancing our work toward a more perfect Union. I am especially proud of the extraordinary leaders of Caribbean heritage now serving in my Administration ‑- from Vice President Kamala Harris to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. And I take equal pride in the generations of Caribbean Americans who literally built this country - bringing tremendous hope and energy to bear as small business owners, teachers, health care workers, military service members, union organizers, community leaders, and so much more.
For too long, too many have faced systemic barriers to success. As President, I have issued two separate Executive Orders to change that, pushing to advance racial justice across every policy that my Administration pursues. As we have passed historic laws to rebuild our Nation's infrastructure, lower prescription drug costs, create a clean energy economy, and transform American manufacturing to once again lead the world, we have done so with an eye for equity, rebuilding our economy from the middle out and bottom up. As a result, we have created 12.7 million jobs - bringing Black and Latino unemployment to record lows - and we have helped millions to start and grow their own businesses. At the same time, we are using all the tools we have to make our Nation's broken immigration system as orderly, safe, and humane as possible, sending support to the border while expanding lawful pathways for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans - among others - to come to the United States without taking the dangerous journey to our southern border. What we really need is for the Congress to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farm and essential workers, and temporary status holders, many of whom are from the Caribbean. I will not quit pressing the Congress to act.
Beyond our borders, we are working with our Caribbean partners to expand opportunity and keep the region safe so more of our neighbors can build lives at home. We partnered with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in November 2022 to launch the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit and disrupt firearms trafficking in the region. We are also working to improve access to development financing and advance clean energy projects across the Caribbean through the United States-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030.
A central promise of this country is the idea that everyone is created equal and deserves to be treated equally throughout their lives. It is a cornerstone of our common heritage in this hemisphere, even as we keep striving to finally make that vision real. Caribbean-American Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate the rich diversity that covenant has brought us and to renew its promise for future generations of Caribbean Americans and for us all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2023 as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans to join in celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of Caribbean Americans with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Official Site - Caribbean American Heritage Month

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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTHHonoring Our Journey, Shaping Our Future In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, recognizing the significance... Read more

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May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America is proud to celebrate and learn more about these cultures and communities with kids across the nation.

24 million people in the United States identify as Asian with 1.6 million identifying as Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander or a combination. These diverse communities have enriched this country for generations, from STEM and human rights to art and cuisine, and are critical to our future success.

Boys & Girls Clubs believe that when young people learn about different cultures, their curiosity, perspective and respect for others grow stronger. Inspire the young person in your life with AANHPI Heritage Month activities that grab their attention and hold a special meaning.

What is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the U.S., with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders following closely behind. AANHPI Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to recognize the unique experiences, traditions and cultures of people in these communities living in America.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in the late 1970s that extended into a month-long celebration in 1990. The month of May was chosen in honor of the first Japanese immigrants who came to the United States and the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which both occurred during May.

Today, AANHPI communities speak over 100 languages in over 50 ethnic groups throughout the U.S., with ties tracing back to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries.

What is the new name for "AAPI Heritage Month"?

In 2021, President Joe Biden expanded the name to Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the same year that Kamala Harris became the first Asian American Vice President of the United States.

This name change represents efforts by Native Hawaiians and the federal government to create a more inclusive celebration, directly recognizing the distinct history and contributions of Native Hawaiians as part of the United States. Boys & Girls Clubs across Hawaii are celebrating the new addition and the recognition of Hawaiian identity on a national level.

Image courtesy of the Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club.

The Importance of AANHPI Heritage Month for Kids

AANHPI communities are often overlooked in U.S. history. 42% of Americans cannot name a single Asian American historical experience and only a few states require public schools to teach Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history. Compared to Black and Latino populations, Asian Americans are also the least likely to feel like they belong in the U.S., with those between 18-24 years old feeling the least accepted.

It's important for young people with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander ancestry to feel safe, seen and celebrated - not just during AANHPI Heritage Month, but year-round.

At Boys & Girls Clubs, 3% of youth members identify as Asian and 1% as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander along with a number of staff who represent these groups. During AANHPI Heritage Month and throughout the year, Club members explore and celebrate the many cultures of these communities through special events and activities. In California, the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club is an annual favorite among kids, featuring lion dances, kung fu lessons and other traditional Asian customs.

AANHPI Heritage Month also encourages us to reflect on Asian American resilience, particularly against the alarming rise in hate crimes we've seen in recent years. These events emphasize the importance of teaching young people about AANHPI history and culture to combat bias and create a kinder world.

"The AANHPI experience in America is so diverse, yet as a community, we are still combatting stereotypes," says Jessica Chao, Public Relations and Corporate Communications Director from our national partner Panda Express. "Feeling seen and celebrated in their individual identity can help young people feel safety and provide a sense of belonging. It's also important that today's youth feel proud of their multi-cultural background, so their experiences can enrich their lives and enable them to reach their highest potential."

Image taken at the grand opening of the Panda Cares Center of Hope at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta - Douglas County Boys & Girls Club.

How to Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Kids & Teens

With so many distinct Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures represented in the U.S., you may be wondering where to begin planning AANHPI celebrations for your school, afterschool program or family.

Check out these AANHPI Heritage Month activities for kids and teens:

Learn the differences between Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

One of the most impactful actions kids (and adults) can take is understanding the differences between Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. According to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget:

Asian American is defined as "a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent." The six largest sub-groups of Asian Americans are from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and India.

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander is defined as "a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands."

Show youth where these countries and territories are using a globe or Google Maps and pull up photos of native plants and animals, architecture in famous cities and more to help them visualize the environments.

Another way to help Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders feel respected is by making a conscious effort to learn their given name. When youth aren't sure how to pronounce the first or last name of someone with AANHPI heritage, advise them to simply ask, and if they forget, ask again! Assure them that there's no need to apologize for not knowing how and to always follow that person's lead on which name they prefer to be called. Have young people get into this practice with teachers, classmates, celebrities and other people they may know. No matter the exchange, simply trying can help others around them feel more accepted for who they are.

Cook up something delicious inspired by AANHPI cultures.

Cooking together is not only a great bonding experience, it's also a time to broaden young people's worldviews through flavors and food. This list of Asian and Pacific Islander recipes to try as a family spans from Hawaiian kalua pork to noodle dishes from Vietnam to fish curry from Fiji.

Shopping for ingredients and new-to-you snacks at Asian grocery stores can also be fun for kids and adults, whether it's at international chains like H Mart or local mom-and-pop shops. Find ways for youth to get involved in the process and serve up delicious new experiences for them to build on and carry into adulthood.

Create a neighborhood map of local AANHPI landmarks.

We don't have to go far to be reminded of the value AANHPI cultures bring to our lives. Explore the influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in your community by having youth make an illustrated map of local landmarks.

Courtesy of the Asian Art Museum, this activity allows kids and teens to draw their favorite AANHPI spots that make their neighborhood special, like museums, bookstores, dojos, gardens, boba tea shops, restaurants, mom-and-pop shops and more. Have youth present their maps at school, home or elsewhere to share their go-to places and discover new ones to visit next!

Discuss and practice cultural awareness and empathy.

In addition to celebrations and activities, it's also important to talk about the experiences of AANHPI people with youth. Violence against these communities has been surging since 2020, but nearly one third of Americans are unaware of it.

It's never too early to educate young people about acceptance and inclusion, so, start a dialogue to help them understand these events and how their AANHPI peers might be feeling. Encourage them to ask questions, voice their thoughts and consider ways they can be an advocate, an ally and a friend.

Need more AANHPI Heritage Month ideas for students? Check out our list of age-appropriate activities to immerse kids deeper into Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures:

AAPI Heritage Month Activities for Pre-K & Elementary Students

Make a kid-friendly reading list that introduces youth to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander characters and the unique stories they have to tell. Browse this list of 70 AANHPI Heritage Month books for kids and pick a few new reads for the bookworm in your life.

Have kids roll up their sleeves with AANHPI arts and crafts! "Growing up as an Asian American, I've always loved connecting with my culture and heritage through art and music," says Panda Express's Jessica Chao. "It's amazing how developing cultural curiosity at a young age can strengthen self-identity and understanding of others." Get started with easy and fun projects like these Chinese shadow puppets or paper lanterns from the Panda Cub Club.

Bring the vibrant cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders to life with kids' movie nights inspired by Studio Ghibli, Pixar and other imaginative films. Get started with these family-friendly movies that celebrate AANHPI traditions and combat stereotypes.

AAPI Heritage Month Activities for Middle & High School Students

Asia is home to many languages and styles of poetry - from the haiku and syair to the twin cinema. Grow teens' love of language by learning about these types of poetry together and composing a few of your own.

Take a bystander awareness course with teens to be prepared to assist in de-escalating harmful situations against AANHPI people in real time. Go a step further by searching for local rallies, readings or events near you to attend with teens that advocate for AANHPI communities.

Are there AANHPI leaders who have made an impact where you live? Work with teens to ask schools, Boys & Girls Clubs or other community organizations to organize an event allowing them to share their story, speak on social issues and help mobilize the community.

The list is never-ending for all the ways Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders enrich this nation. This May, and year-round, join us in celebrating them all as we lead the way for younger generations to grow up with empathy for others and pride in their heritage.

Join the Club

Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides safe places, caring mentors and life-enhancing programs to millions of kids and teens annually. Join us on our mission of helping all young people reach their full potential:

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10 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Kids & Teens

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Celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month throughout May by sharing cultural and learning opportunities with the young person in your life.

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Famous People

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Overview

May is Jewish American Heritage Month! This month serves as a time to celebrate the contributions and experiences of Jewish Americans throughout our nation's history. It was first federally recognized in 2006, thanks to the advocacy efforts of Jewish American leaders.

Today, approximately 7.6 million Jewish Americans make up roughly 2.4% of the U.S. population, with roughly a quarter of that number estimated to be living in the New York City metropolitan area. In fact, New York City has the second largest Jewish population of any city in the world, behind only Tel Aviv, Israel.

With such a large population comes a long history, dating all the way back to when the first known Jewish immigrant, Jacob Barsimson, arrived to our city in 1654. The largest wave of Jewish immigration came at the turn of the 20th century, when the population went from about 80,000 Jewish Americans in 1880 to 1.5 million in 1920.

The city's large Jewish population has produced trailblazers in nearly every field imaginable: whether it's Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, composer Irving Berlin, baseball star Hank Greenberg, or one of many other, there are countless Jewish New Yorkers whose contributions to our society and culture we celebrate this month, and all year long. We encourage you to join us throughout May in recognizing their accomplishments, as well as honoring the struggles faced by Jewish Americans throughout history.

To further explore the impact that Jewish American communities have had not just on our city, but across the United States, check out the resources below to get started on your celebration!

Events, Exhibitions, and Places to Visit

Reading List

One of our favorite ways to celebrate is with a good book! The suggestions below are just a few of our favorite titles, with works of fiction and non-fiction for every grade level that feature characters and perspectives that are often not reflected in other popular works.

Early Readers (3K-Grade 2)

Elementary (Grades 3-5)

Middle Grade (Grades 6-8)

Upper Grades (Grades 9-12)

Many of these books are readily available through the citywide Digital Library on Sora, which provides free access to hundreds of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students. For even more reading recommendations, Sora also features over 100 titles in the Stop-Antisemitism Collection.

Video and Audio Resources

The Library of Congress highlights a comprehensive list of Audio and Video resources from the American Archive of Public Broadcasting, the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as from their own collections.

Educator Resources

A comprehensive Jewish American Heritage Month Resource Guide is available to educators on WeTeach NYC, along with the Meilman Virtual Classroom, a curriculum that was developed by the Museum of Jewish Heritage with the support of the New York City Department of Education. The resource guide features helpful lesson plans, background information, and other classroom materials, such as:

Hidden Voices

Hidden Voices began as a collaboration with the Museum of the City of New York that was initiated to help City students learn about the countless individuals who are often "hidden" from traditional historical records. Each of the people highlighted in the series has made a positive impact on their communities while serving as outstanding examples of leadership, advocacy, and community service. There are several curriculum options available that are especially relevant during Jewish American Heritage Month, including:

In addition to these lessons, we regularly feature profiles on history-making individuals who could be considered to be "hidden voices." During Jewish American Heritage Month, check out our profiles on:

Bernice Sandler, known as the "Godmother of Title IX," the transformative law that paved the way for gender equality in athletics.

You can find more of our profiles throughout the year on our Hidden Voices webpage.

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May is Jewish American Heritage Month! Join us in celebrating the contributions and honoring the struggles of Jewish Americans throughout history.

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Jewish American Heritage Month Famous People

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Bring African-American culture & history into your curriculum

All people, regardless of race or place, deserve the same rights and freedoms. For too long, Black and brown people in America have been denied equality because of the color of their skin. To help students understand the reality of Black people's experiences in American history, their impact on American culture, and to celebrate their achievements, we've compiled a selection of lesson plans that cover a variety of subjects that can be adapted to fit multiple grade levels.

If you're commemorating Black History Month in your classroom consider preparing by reading Learning For Justice's Do's and Don'ts of Teaching Black History and Black History Month is Over. Now What?, and listening to our podcast on teaching Black history meaningfully (below) to ensure students get the most out of Black history lessons.

Lesson Plans

Grades K-5

Lesson Plans & Activities

LESSON PLANS

National Museum of African American History and Culture's Learning Labs
The Smithsonian's free, interactive platform provides ways to explore well-known and lesser-known moments of history by utilizing objects, documents, imagery, and videos to enhance content knowledge, hone historical thinking skills and inspire users to see themselves as agents of change. (Free account registration required)

ACTIVITIES

Who is Claudette Colvin?
Nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a public bus, Claudette Colvin refused to move for white passengers and was forcibly removed from a Montgomery, Alabama, bus and jailed. Learn more about her story.

Background Resources

SOCIAL STUDIES

African American History Month Exhibits & Collections
Resources covering art and design, baseball, civil rights, culture, folklife, military, music and performing arts, religion, slavery, and resource guides.

W. E. B. Du Bois: Online Resources
Includes digital materials related to W. E .B. Du Bois and links to external Web sites.

Separate Is Not Equal - Brown v. Board of Education
History, images, and other resources covering the historic Supreme Court ruling ending segregation and ensuring opportunity in education.

Africans in America
Images, documents, stories, biographies, and commentaries. The site provides teacher's and youth guides. The four-part series may be in local libraries.

Black History - Biography - Celebrate Black History Month & People
Biographies, timelines, photos, and videos on notable African Americans.

The Awakening of Norman Rockwell This article examines Norman Rockwell's career and how his painting, The Problem We All Live With, for the January 14, 1964 issue of Look magazine was a turning point in this career and reflected his unexpected politicization in the 1960s.

ARTS

Poems to Celebrate Black History Month
Poems and articles by African-Americans.

The History of Hip-Hop
A collection of interviews from National Public Radio (NPR) that chronicle the seminal people and events in the hip-hop movement.

African American Visual Art and the Black Arts Movement
The Black Arts Movement (BAM) began in the mid-1960s to provide a new vision of African Americans. This site provides images galleries a theoretical essay, timeline, and links to other online art sources. Note: the top banner links are dead but the bottom links are functional.

The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed
African American and Global African history resources.

SCIENCE

10 Black Scientists that Science Teachers Should Know About
A list from PBS Education of some of the top Black scientists, engineers, inventors, and mathematicians that includes links to media resources to help you bring their work-and stories-into your classroom.

8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier
This blog post outlines some of the lesser-known but vital contributions of Black inventors.

SPORT

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Resources for Teachers
Before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball there was Negro League Baseball. This site features history, a timeline, photos, and teacher resources.

African American Athletes
Brief biographies and film clips of outstanding African American athletes. Don't miss the links to legal and political figures, scientists and educators, activists, artists and writers, entertainers, and musicians and singers.

Quizzes

Printables

Video

Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans (68 minutes)
Considered the oldest black neighborhood in America, Faubourg Tremé is the origin of the southern civil rights movement and the birthplace of jazz.

Books

Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children's Books
A teacher's resource kit from the High Museum

A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley and Amy NathanYoung Sharon hears the story of how she, after a series of protests to integrate the park, is the first African American to ride on the carousel at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in 1963.

Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste
This picture book biography celebrates both Claudette Colvin, whose teen-aged activism launched the Montgomery bus boycott, and the power of collective action.
Author Tracey Baptiste shares how to make Black history accessible to young readers:
Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinson
Meet the "father of Black History," Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and discover the experiences that shaped his passion.

Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School by Janet Halfmann
Born into slavery, Lilly Ann secretly learned to read and write from her master's children-and then read everything she could get her hands on. Wishing to share her knowledge with others, she secretly taught hundreds of other enslaved people despite the great risks.

Find African American booklists from Read Across America.

Grades 6-8

Lesson Plans & Activities

LESSON PLANS

Teaching Hard History
These resources for middle- and high-school educators include Learning for Justice's grades 6-12 framework, as well as student-facing videos and primary source texts to help all students grasp the historical significance of slavery. Educators will also find teaching tools and professional development resources.

PBS Black History Lesson Plans
These lesson plans and resources cover topics ranging from civil rights events to discussions about race in current events. These lessons are appropriate for history, ELA and social studies classrooms.

National Museum of African American History and Culture's Learning Labs
The Smithsonian's free, interactive platform provides ways to explore well-known and lesser-known moments of history by utilizing objects, documents, imagery, and videos to enhance content knowledge, hone historical thinking skills and inspire users to see themselves as agents of change. (Free account registration required)

ACTIVITIES

The Underground Railroad: Journey to Freedom
The Underground Railroad was the network used by enslaved black Americans to obtain their freedom in the 30 years before the Civil War (1860-1865).

Background Resources

SOCIAL STUDIES

African American History Month Exhibits & Collections
Resources covering art and design, baseball, civil rights, culture, folklife, military, music and performing arts, religion, slavery, and resource guides.

W. E. B. Du Bois: Online Resources
Includes digital materials related to W. E .B. Du Bois and links to external Web sites.

Separate Is Not Equal - Brown v. Board of Education
History, images, and other resources covering the historic Supreme Court ruling ending segregation and ensuring opportunity in education.

Africans in America
Images, documents, stories, biographies, and commentaries. The site provides teacher's and youth guides. The four part series may be in local libraries.

Black History - Biography - Celebrate Black History Month & People
Biographies, photos, and videos of notable African Americans.

The Awakening of Norman Rockwell
This article examines Norman Rockwell's career and how his painting, The Problem We All Live With, for the January 14, 1964 issue of Look magazine was a turning point in this career and reflected his unexpected politicization in the 1960s.

ARTS

Poems to Celebrate Black History Month
Poems and articles by African-Americans.

The History of Hip-Hop
A collection of interviews from National Public Radio (NPR) that chronicle the seminal people and events in the hip-hop movement.

African American Visual Art and the Black Arts Movement
The Black Arts Movement (BAM) began in the mid-1960s to provide a new vision of African Americans. This site provides images galleries a theoretical essay, timeline, and links to other online art sources. Note: the top banner links are dead but the bottom links are functional.

The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed
African American and Global African history resources.

SCIENCE

10 Black Scientists that Science Teachers Should Know About
A list from PBS Education of some of the top Black scientists, engineers, inventors, and mathematicians that includes links to media resources to help you bring their work-and stories-into your classroom.

8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier
This blog post outlines some of the lesser-known but vital contributions of Black inventors.

SPORTS

African American Athletes
Brief biographies and film clips of outstanding African American athletes. Don't miss the links to legal and political figures, scientists and educators, activists, artists and writers, entertainers, and musicians and singers.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Resources for Teachers
Before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball there was Negro League Baseball. This site features history, a timeline, photos, and teacher resources.

Quizzes

Printables

Audio & Video

AUDIO

Blues Journey (23:17 minutes)
This four part audio series explores the history of the blues.

VIDEO

Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans (68 minutes)
Considered the oldest black neighborhood in America, Faubourg Tremé is the origin of the southern civil rights movement and the birthplace of jazz. Check local listings to see when it airs on a local PBS station.

Forgotten Genius (120 minutes)
Chemist Percy Lavon Julian struggled against racism as he pursued research with steroids and alkaloids and helped to create affordable and effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and glaucoma.

Through the Window and into the Mirror: Narratives of African American STEM Professionals
This video conversation series shares the experiences of African American STEM professionals today.

Books

Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children's Books
A teacher's resource kit from the High Museum

Loretta Little Looks Back: Three Voices Go Tell It by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Loretta, Roly, and Aggie B. Little relate their Black family's challenges and triumphs from 1927 to 1968 while struggling as sharecroppers, living under Jim Crow, and fighting for Civil Rights in Mississippi.

When Winter Robeson Came by Brenda Woods
To figure out what happened to his missing father, thirteen-year-old Winter travels to Los Angeles from Mississippi to visit his cousin Eden and her family during the summer of the Watts Riots in 1965.

Find African American booklists from Read Across America.

Grades 9-12

Lesson Plans & Activities

LESSON PLANS

Teaching Hard History
These resources for middle- and high-school educators include Learning for Justice's grades 6-12 framework, as well as student-facing videos and primary source texts to help all students grasp the historical significance of slavery. Educators will also find teaching tools and professional development resources.

Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten
Through a series of video clips and activities, students can learn about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and how the community of Tulsa is coming to terms with its past, present, and future.

PBS Black History Lesson Plans
These lesson plans and resources cover topics ranging from civil rights events to discussions about race in current events. These lessons are appropriate for history, ELA and social studies classrooms.

National Museum of African American History and Culture's Learning Labs
The Smithsonian's free, interactive platform provides ways to explore well-known and lesser-known moments of history by utilizing objects, documents, imagery, and videos to enhance content knowledge, hone historical thinking skills and inspire users to see themselves as agents of change. (Free account registration required)

ACTIVITIES

The Underground Railroad: Journey to Freedom
The Underground Railroad was the network used by enslaved black Americans to obtain their freedom in the 30 years before the Civil War (1860-1865).

Background Resources

SOCIAL STUDIES

African American History Month Exhibits & Collections
Resources covering art and design, baseball, civil rights, culture, folklife, military, music and performing arts, religion, slavery, and resource guides.

W. E. B. Du Bois: Online Resources
Includes digital materials related to W. E .B. Du Bois and links to external Web sites.

Separate Is Not Equal - Brown v. Board of Education
History, images, and other resources covering the historic Supreme Court ruling ending segregation and ensuring opportunity in education.

Africans in America
Images, documents, stories, biographies, and commentaries. The site provides teacher's and youth guides. The four part series may be in local libraries.

Black History - Biography - Celebrate Black History Month & People
Biographies, photos and videos of notable African Americans.

The Awakening of Norman Rockwell
This article examines Norman Rockwell's career and how his painting, The Problem We All Live With, for the January 14, 1964 issue of Look magazine was a turning point in this career and reflected his unexpected politicization in the 1960s.

ARTS

Poems to Celebrate Black History Month
Poems and articles by African-Americans.

Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns
Online activities and biographies, transcripts of many interviews with musicians, K-12 lesson plans, and a music study guide for grades 5-8.

The History of Hip-Hop
A collection of interviews from National Public Radio (NPR) that chronicle the seminal people and events in the hip-hop movement.

African American Visual Art and the Black Arts Movement
The Black Arts Movement (BAM) began in the mid-1960s to provide a new vision of African Americans. This site provides images galleries a theoretical essay, timeline, and links to other online art sources. Note: the top banner links are dead but the bottom links are functional.

The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed
African American History by region.

SCIENCE

10 Black Scientists that Science Teachers Should Know About
A list from PBS Education of some of the top Black scientists, engineers, inventors, and mathematicians that includes links to media resources to help you bring their work-and stories-into your classroom.

8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier
This blog post outlines some of the lesser-known but vital contributions of Black inventors.

SPORT

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Resources for Teachers
Before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball there was Negro League Baseball. This site features history, a timeline, photos, and teacher resources.

African American Athletes
Brief biographies and film clips of outstanding African American athletes. Don't miss the links to legal and political figures, scientists and educators, activists, artists and writers, entertainers, and musicians and singers.

Quizzes

Printables

Audio & Video

AUDIO

Blues Journey (23:17 minutes)
This four part audio series explores the history of the blues.

VIDEO

Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans (68 minutes)
Considered the oldest black neighborhood in America, Faubourg Tremé is the origin of the southern civil rights movement and the birthplace of jazz. Check local listings to see when it airs on a local PBS station.

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (220 minutes)
Jack Johnson was the first African American boxer to win the Heavyweight Championship of the World. The website includes the story of Johnson's life and career, a timeline, and media gallery. The DVD may be available in local libraries.

Through the Window and into the Mirror: Narratives of African American STEM Professionals
This video conversation series shares the experiences of African American STEM professionals today.

Books

Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon
An essential account of the Black Panthers as militant revolutionaries, social activists, and human rights advocates working to defend and protect their community.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds; adapted from Stamped from the Beginning by and with an introduction from Ibram X. Kendi
Using humor and a conversational style, author Jason Reynolds deftly reworks Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning, exposing young adult readers to the history of America's racist past that textbooks leave out.

Find African American booklists from Read Across America.

Teaching Black History, Meaningfully

How you can make your Black history lessons more meaningful, unique, and powerful for your students? We asked Colorado social studies teacher Kevin Adams to join us for a discussion about breaking stale patterns when teaching Black history and shaping your lessons to fit your classroom and community. Listen to Kevin's advice and experiences in this 36 minute School Me Podcast.

Black History Month: Books and More for K-12 Students

The following resources from NEA's partners at WETA highlight books and classroom resources highlighting Black history and culture.

Reading Rockets: Booklists for Elementary
Celebration and Remembrance: Children's Books About Black Lives
This collection includes picture book biographies of a young boy who shipped himself to freedom during the Civil War, a trailblazing pilot, a brilliant writer - and a sensitive but honest retelling of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. You'll also meet Milo, who realizes on a subway ride to visit his mom that you can't know someone just by looking at them.
People Make the Difference: A Celebration of Black History Month
These are stories of turbulent times in the United States. Each book is told with a young audience in mind and presents a slice of history and highlights the impact of real individuals.

For additional books and resources, see:

AdLit: Booklists for Middle and High School
Black Characters and Social/Cultural Themes
These books for middle grade and young adults feature stories across a range of genres from dynamic authors including Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, Ibi Zoboi, Renée Watson, Nic Stone, Nicola Yoon, Rita Garcia-Williams, Kekla Magoon, Kacen Callender, Jerry Craft, and Justina Ireland.

For additional ideas, see the following resources:

AdLit: Author Interviews

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このセクターの誰とでも自由にコラボレーションできる。

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Bring African-American culture & history into your curriculum

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On this webpage of resources curated by the National Museum of the American Latino, you'll find a list of why and how we celebrate Latino communities and their contributions to American society, a list of virtual exhibits featuring Latino history, bilingual resources, stories of Latino achievements, and more.

View resources

Image credit: Tamalada by Carmen Lomas Garza. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by John B. Turner

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National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2023 - For Teachers

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Paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

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Native American Heritage Month Famous People